FORMER Ajax midfielder Amin Younes has revealed his heartbreak at how friend and teammate Abdelhak Nouri’s promising career was tragically ended in 2017.
A cardiac arrhythmia attack during a pre-season friendly with Werder Bremen placed the youngster in a coma that he emerged out of a year later – having suffered severe and permanent brain damage.
Nouri’s career was tragically cut short at the age of 20Credit: Getty – Contributor
Former colleague Younes has talked of the prodigy’s brilliant attitudeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Younes, now of Napoli, has detailed how Nouri was set for the top and not only thanks to impeccable talent.
Together with fellow Ajax starlets Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and Donny van de Beek, the attacking midfielder was lauded for his attitude as much as his talent.
Writing for Goal, Younes recalled: “Off the pitch they were inseparable. And on the pitch they were unbelievably good.
“Everyone who did not have tomatoes as eyes knew it: These kids can make it to the top one day. After my training I often watched games of Jong Ajax, the reserve team, and I was surprised watching them.
“Especially Appie. He made the difference with his ball control, his dribbling skills and the way he anticipated the game. Seeing him in our training sessions I just thought: Man, this guy is getting better and better!
“Appie was a big talent. A rising star. Ready to conquer the world.
“But the real beauty with him was not what he did on the pitch. It was what he did off the pitch.
“He was not one who looked at his mobile phone or put on his headphones straight away as many young players do today.
The journey to Austria was a nightmare for me. I was so scared and prayed for my little brother who was just 20 years old.”
Amin Younes
“He was open minded. Loquacious. Eager to learn. He absorbed everything you told him – obsessed with the dream to make it to the top.”
Along with Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi, Nouri and Younes were good friends who celebrated the Islamic holiday of Ramadan together while making their name in the Netherlands.
And Younes, who dons his pal’s No34 shirt in Italy, described his shock at hearing the news of his teammate’s collapse while visiting family in Lebanon.
He added: “I remember when I opened the live scores on my mobile phone to check how we were getting along against Werder Bremen.
“And then suddenly it was leaked that something terrible happened to Appie. At first, I thought he suffered from weakness due to Ramadan or because it was just too hot on that day.
“But a few hours later, Dennis Bergkamp called me and asked me to come to the training camp in Austria as soon as possible.
“The journey to Austria was a nightmare for me. I was so scared and prayed for my little brother who was just 20 years old.
“When I arrived at the training camp – I was the only player back late – and went to the meeting room, I only saw petrified faces. The team doctor informed us about what had happened to Appie.
Ajax later admitted to “inadequate” treatment of their player at the pre-season gameCredit: Getty – Contributor
“Many of us broke down in tears immediately. It was hell.”
Nowadays Nouri is out of his coma and can communicate with his family while they care for him.
Ajax have admitted to “inadequate” treatment of the Dutch youth international at the time of his collapse and are in settlement talks with his family.
Ronaldo blows kiss in message to brain damaged ex Ajax star Abdelhak Nouri, 22, who collapsed during pre-season friendly
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
